Funding for water and wastewater projects can be confusing to navigate, and it is generally provided by a variety of agencies in a state. Some states have made an effort to consolidate funding entities and partner agencies to provide a singular point of contact for assistance to communities in their region. In this blog series, you will learn about some of the existing Water Advisory Committees in the country, what they are, who they bring together, how they operate, and what assistance they provide to their state. In this blog, we will look at New York State.
The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (NYSEFC) plays a vital role in helping communities across the state improve and protect water quality. Through a combination of low-cost financing, grants, and expert technical assistance, NYSEFC supports the development of essential water infrastructure projects.
One of NYSEFC’s core priorities is making sure these projects remain affordable for local governments and residents, while also safeguarding New York’s critical water resources. By leveraging innovative financing strategies, the agency maximizes the funding available to communities and helps them meet state and federal environmental requirements.
Legislative Affairs and Community Assistance Coordinator Nick Demitraszek explains, “Awareness is key, and we work diligently to increase the public’s knowledge and understanding of our programs.”
What is the NYSEFC CATs Initiative?
New York’s Community Assistance Teams (CATs) help communities access funding and support for water infrastructure projects. They offer on-site or virtual consultations, participate in regional events, host webinars, and provide guidance on planning, submitting applications, and completing projects. The teams serve as a crucial link between local governments and state and federal funding, ensuring that all New York communities, particularly small, rural, and disadvantaged ones, can receive the necessary support they need to move their critical water infrastructure improvements forward.
The teams are coordinated by NYSEFC in partnership with the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation, Health, and State, as well as the Division of Homes and Community Renewal. By bringing these agencies together, NYSEFC helps communities navigate available water funding options and identify solutions tailored to their specific needs. Speaking to the initiative, Demitraszek adds, “Providing a single point of contact for all opportunities increases accessibility and limits confusion. Holding conversations with all funding agencies involved ensures that communities are aware of options and can plan accordingly.”
How the Teams Help
The Community Assistance Teams connect communities with experts from the NYSEFC and partner agencies and work together to offer the following services:
- Assist with funding applications: The teams guide municipalities through the application process (from planning to how to complete one) for various funding opportunities, including the State Revolving Funds and other state and federal grants. With open discussions, communities can understand how to prepare the best application possible.
- Address aging infrastructure: The initiative was created to help communities with aging water systems, workforce shortages, and rising costs to ensure no community is left behind in New York’s commitment to cleaner water.
- Support with cybersecurity: Under a newly launched expansion, the CATs initiative also provides support and resources to help water and wastewater systems assess and strengthen their cybersecurity posture. With a new web-based Cybersecurity Hub, the teams centralized critical information and resources and are working to assist communities with undertaking system assessments.
- Provide consultations: CATs offer on-site and virtual consultations to discuss a community’s specific water infrastructure needs, whether they are related to drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater. Consultations are often invaluable as communities are connected with the programmatic staff that score their projects. This creates an open dialog where staff can discuss specific ways project applications can be improved.
Who They Serve
CATs are particularly focused on helping communities with limited resources, including:
- Small and rural communities
- Disadvantaged communities
- Communities facing aging water systems, workforce shortages, and increasing costs
How to Connect with a Team
Communities in New York State needing assistance with their water infrastructure projects can request a meeting. The EFC Community Assistance Teams webpage also provides information and details on upcoming events, including open forum Q&A sessions, webinars, and helpful resources such as past webinars.
Have Questions? Contact:
Nick Demitraszek
Legislative Affairs and Community Assistance Coordinator
NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation
efc.dl.CommunityAssistance@efc.ny.gov
625 Broadway,
Albany, NY 12207
518-402-7081